The distribution, source and fate of the heavy metals mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) in surface sediments from the East China Sea (ECS) were studied using mercury, lead and strontium (Sr) isotopic ratios. Hydrodynamic circulation and the sedimentary depositional process within the ECS were the dominant factors controlling the distribution and fate of heavy metals, referring from relationships of heavy metals (Hg and Pb) concentrations and total organic carbon (TOC) and clay contents. Spatial variations in Hg isotopic compositions (delta Hg-220) were observed in the ECS, with delta Hg-202 ranging from -1.86 to -0.83 parts per thousand and Delta Hg-199 ranging from -0.07 to +0.26 parts per thousand. The high delta Hg-202 values and relatively negative Delta Hg-199 values in estuarine and inner shelf sites indicated that the riverine inputs from Changjiang River played an important role in delivering Hg to ECS. In contrast, Hg isotopic signatures in outer shelf sediments had relatively low delta Hg-202 and positive Delta Hg-199, implying that atmospheric Hg deposition could be a relatively dominant source for Hg. Using these Hg isotope compositions, the source attributions of sediments in ECS were estimated based on a triple mixing model, suggesting that river-dominated inputs, discharging pollutants from industrial sources, and atmospheric deposition could dominate in the occurrence and fate of Hg in surface sediments of ECS. Moreover, the results of Pb and Sr isotopic ratios in surface sediment samples and potential sources showed that the Pb accumulated in the ECS was mainly from background and anthropogenic sources, with the contribution rates of 45% and 55%, respectively.

Cheng, Yaxin,Zhang, Rui,Li, Tiegang,et al. Spatial distributions and sources of heavy metals in sediments of the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent coastal areas based on mercury, lead and strontium isotopic compositions[J]. CATENA,2019,174:154-163.

APA

Cheng, Yaxin.,Zhang, Rui.,Li, Tiegang.,Zhang, Fan.,Russell, James.,...&Wang, Xiqi.(2019).Spatial distributions and sources of heavy metals in sediments of the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent coastal areas based on mercury, lead and strontium isotopic compositions.CATENA,174,154-163.

MLA

Cheng, Yaxin,et al."Spatial distributions and sources of heavy metals in sediments of the Changjiang Estuary and its adjacent coastal areas based on mercury, lead and strontium isotopic compositions".CATENA 174(2019):154-163.